Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

"Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but EMPTIED himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness." We have all heard the scripture "For God so loved the world that he gave..." the scripture continues "his only Son so that anyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life." The verse shows us the obvious, God did not give only 10% of his love, but all of his love. For his Son was worth much more than money can measure. He in essence EMPTIED, or bankrupted, heaven to provide a means to end suffering and damnation for us. Jesus is in the temple among the people when he poses a scenario and a question. Jesus describes a man that has two sons that he asks to work in the vineyard for him. One son says no and he later changed his mind and decided to work for his father. The other son says yes he will do the work and did not end up doing any of it. Jesus asks the crowd, "Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus goes on to tell them, "Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him." Unfortunately, we all do things we don't mean to do. We even do things that are mean spirited as we are human. Thankfully the same God that knows our thoughts and hearts decided he would still love us. The same God that did not have to give us a way to redeem ourselves, or give us life eternal for that matter, decided to bankrupt heaven for us. We are all like children. Sometimes we are asked to do something and we will agree to it, and fall short. Likewise sometimes we will say no, and intentionally let others down. Our focus should clearly be geared toward being a place of welcome. We should do this at St. Paul, but also in our daily lives. We ought to work diligently to let the love of Christ lead us. We want to accept the blessings and challenges of working together for the greater good of the Father. In the words of Mother Teresa we should love and serve others as "Each one of them is Jesus in disguise." We should be true to our baptismal covenant in which we are called to, "seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves." Amen.

***Pray especially for: Terese Gluck, Rose Mauzy, Vicki Fagiana, David Garber and family, Pete & Mary Jane Walburg, Christopher Geagley, Tommy Thompson, John & Delberta Allen, Misty McCoy, Madeline Vaught, Nathan McConnell, Camden Albano, Peggy Ann Turner, Pam Shinault, and Susan Beeler.

Collect:
O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(1st Reading Exekiel 18:1-4, 25-32, Psalm 25:1-8, 2nd Reading Philippians 2:1-13, Gospel Matthew 21:23-32)